London School of Economics law graduate quits legal career to grow organic durians in Malaysia

Vin Cheah, 30, said left the legal profession because it did not align with what he wanted to do. “I quit law because it wasn’t for me,” he told 8 Days. “Law is a man-made ecosystem that keeps people in check. However, what I really wanted was to create something tangible — something I could share with the [wider] community. Unlike durians, a legal victory isn’t really something I can share with everyone.”

Cheah resigned from his legal job in 2021 and established Bentong Hill Durian, a 10-acre farm in Pahang, where he grows mainly organic Black Thorn durians, along with Musang King and Tupai King varieties.

The farm avoids chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides, relying instead on organic cultivation methods.

His first harvest produced only 118 durians, with about half selling for RM100 (US$24) per kilogram, roughly double the price of premium durians typically sold in Malaysia.

Asked why he chose the more demanding path of organic farming, Cheah gave a simple answer: “I wanted to eat my own durians.”

The Kuala Lumpur native compares agricultural chemicals to medicine for trees, saying many conventional growers rely on fertilizers, fungicides, pesticides and herbicides, including glyphosate, to maximize yields and control pests and weeds.

He claimed that some farmers avoid eating their own fruit because they know what has been used on their trees.

Beyond operating Bentong Hill Durian, Cheah also advises other orchard owners, helping oversee farm operations and manage workers. He now supervises about 100 acres of farmland containing roughly 2,800 durian trees.

He said demand for his expertise has grown steadily, with clients seeking to convert their orchards to organic production. He has even received inquiries from Indonesia and Australia, though the discussions ended when prospective clients realized they would need to cover his weekly international travel costs.

Looking ahead, Cheah hopes to bring Bentong Hill Durian to Singapore through a retail partner next year, although no agreement has yet been finalized.